Kenny rules out Cabinet reshuffle

A Cabinet reshuffle to revitalise the Coalition has been ruled out by Taoiseach Enda Kenny.

The Taoiseach sparked reshuffle speculation with an off the cuff remark at Fine Gael’s parliamentary party gathering in Westport, Co Mayo, when he quipped at a dinner speech that TDs who failed to complete a planned climb of Croagh Patrick in less than 90 minutes would be “ruled out of the reshuffle”.

Some Fine Gaelers believed the jest may have been more than a joke, but Mr Kenny insisted he has no plans for a ministerial revamp.

The Taoiseach was forced to clarify the situation, saying: “A reshuffle in respect of Cabinet ministers is not a priority for me now.”

The parliamentary gathering also saw Children’s Minister Frances Fitzgerald dismiss claims from a former Supreme Court judge that the planned referendum on children’s rights was not necessary.

Ex-judge Hugh O’Flaherty said existing legislation provides sufficient protection and a constitutional change was not needed.

Ms Fitzgerald said the referendum, which is due this autumn even though the Cabinet has yet to agree on a date or the wording, was needed to safeguard the rights of children.

“We need constitutional provisions to give protection to children to make sure that children can be adopted that cannot be adopted at present, that their best interests be represented in the Constitution, and that the views of the children should be taken into account,” Ms Fitzgerald said.

Special rapporteur on child protection Geoffrey Shannon backed the minister, insisting there is a “compelling case” to change the Constitution, particularly in the case of adoption, which gives rise for the need for a referendum.

Although no details of the referendum have yet been finalised, Transport Minister Leo Varadkar has been named as director of the Government’s campaign to win the national poll.

Mr Kenny used the Fine Gael meeting to again stress he would honour the terms of the Croke Park deal.

The Taoiseach insisted he would not “trigger the collapse” of the public sector pay deal.

Mr Kenny also dismissed reports of coalition disharmony on the agreement.

“Let me assure you, I have spoken at length to the Tánaiste last week, we’ve spoken at length at Cabinet about this; there is a complete focus from the Fine Gael Party and the Labour Party to see this Government through to its finality, not to turn our back on the mandate given to us by the people, and to make the difficult choices,” he said.

Driving force

The Taoiseach called for motorists to act responsibly when asked to comment on the case of a Fine Gael Cork county councillor who resigned as chairman of the authority’s joint policing committee after admitting he is facing a drink-driving charge.

Enda Kenny said he could not talk about the specific case involving Cllr Michael Hegarty as he did not know the facts and the matter is in the hands of the gardaí.

However, speaking at the Fine Gael parliamentary party gathering in Westport, he said: “Let me say generally that there is no case for anybody in this country to sit behind the wheel of a motor vehicle with alcohol.

“We have outlined the importance of this so many times.”